Connected by Sport, Powered by Education: Scotland and the Commonwealth
27 July 2026
International delegates gathered at Team Scotland House during Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 to explore how Scotland's colleges and universities use sport to create opportunity, drive innovation and build global partnerships.
Connected by Sport, Powered by Education: Scotland and the Commonwealth was a theme of the event.
"The legacy of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will not be in the medals won, but in the partnerships and friendships forged." That was the message from Neville Wylie, the Chair of Connected Scotland as guests gathered at Scotland House in Glasgow's Corinthian Club for the event. The reception brought together international delegates, education leaders, students and partners from across the Commonwealth to showcase the outstanding contribution Scotland's colleges and universities make through sport, education and research.
Guests from Australia, India, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Dominica, St Helena, Italy, China and the United States joined representatives from Scotland's education and sport bodies for an evening focused on collaboration, innovation and long-term international partnerships.
Welcoming attendees, Rachel Sandison OBE, Scotland's Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education and Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement at the University of Glasgow, highlighted the lasting value of education partnerships, noting that "sport may bring us together this week, but education is what keeps us connected long after the medals have been awarded and the stadium lights have dimmed."
The evening showcased how Scotland's further and higher education sectors support sporting excellence and wellbeing. Delegates learned about the Qualifications Scotland, Active Campus Network, led by sportscotland, Scottish Student Sport and Colleges Scotland, which has significantly increased participation in sport and physical activity among college students. The audience also heard about Winning Students 100, the national sports scholarship programme funded by sportscotland and the Scottish Funding Council, which enables talented athletes to combine elite sporting performance with academic success.
One of the highlights of the evening was an inspiring address from Sreejith Sivan, a University of Stirling graduate who travelled from Kerala, India, to study Sport Management in Scotland. Reflecting on his journey, he spoke about the opportunities, friendships and experiences he had gained through Scottish education and sport.
"Sport truly has the power to connect people beyond borders, cultures and backgrounds," he said. "My own journey, from a young footballer in Kerala to standing here today in Scotland, is proof of that."
The showcase area featured examples of world-leading work from Scotland's colleges and universities, demonstrating how sport can drive research, innovation, inclusion, health and community wellbeing. Guests also met Militsa Milenkova, the Glasgow School of Art artist who designed the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games medals, and Gary Maclean, Scotland's National Chef and Senior Chef Lecturer at City of Glasgow College, whose work highlights Scotland's excellence in hospitality, skills and education.
Special thanks were extended to speakers Neil Rennick, Director-General for Education and Justice at the Scottish Government, Rachel Sandison OBE, and Sreejith Sivan, whose personal story perfectly captured the event's central theme: that sport and education together create opportunities, build understanding and forge connections that endure long after the Games have ended.
As Glasgow welcomes athletes from across the Commonwealth, the reception demonstrated that Scotland's greatest legacy may not be measured in medals, but in the partnerships, friendships and shared ambitions that continue to grow through education and sport.